Can Felons Vote in Idaho?
Yes, you can vote in Idaho with a felony conviction once you have completed your full sentence, including prison, probation, and parole. Voting rights are automatically restored upon final discharge — no application is needed. Register online at VoteIdaho.gov, at your county clerk's office, or on Election Day at your polling place.
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Overview
Idaho requires full sentence completion — including incarceration, probation, and parole — before voting rights are restored. Under Idaho Code § 18-310, upon 'final discharge' (satisfactory completion of imprisonment, probation, and parole), a person convicted of a felony is automatically restored the full rights of citizenship, including the right to vote. No application, petition, or fee is required. People convicted of felonies in other states are also eligible to vote in Idaho once they have satisfactorily completed their sentences. Idaho offers same-day voter registration, so eligible individuals can register and vote on Election Day.
Quick Answer
Yes, you can vote in Idaho with a felony conviction once you have completed your full sentence, including prison, probation, and parole. Voting rights are automatically restored upon final discharge — no application is needed. Register online at VoteIdaho.gov, at your county clerk's office, or on Election Day at your polling place.
Can vote
- ✓Completed all terms of felony sentence, including incarceration, probation, and parole (final discharge)
- ✓Convicted of a felony in another state or jurisdiction and have completed your full sentence
- ✓Received a pardon from the Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole or the Governor
- ✓Convicted of a misdemeanor only (misdemeanor convictions do not affect voting rights)
- ✓In jail awaiting trial (pretrial detention — not yet convicted)
Cannot vote
- ✗Currently incarcerated for a felony conviction (state or federal)
- ✗Currently on probation for a felony conviction
- ✗Currently on parole for a felony conviction
- ✗Currently on any form of supervised release for a felony conviction
- ✗Convicted of a felony and not yet restored to rights of citizenship
Step-by-Step Process
Confirm your eligibility
You can vote if you have received your 'final discharge' — meaning you have satisfactorily completed all terms of your felony sentence, including imprisonment, probation, and parole. If you are unsure of your status, contact the Idaho Department of Correction, your probation/parole officer, or the court that sentenced you.
Register to vote
Register online at VoteIdaho.gov using your Idaho driver's license or state ID number. You can also register in person at your county clerk's office, or by mail using the Idaho Voter Registration Form available from the Secretary of State's website. You will need to provide your name, address, date of birth, and Idaho driver's license or state ID number.
Meet the registration deadline or use same-day registration
The pre-registration deadline is 25 days before Election Day for online and mail registration. However, Idaho offers Election Day registration — you can register and vote in person at your polling place on Election Day. For Election Day registration, you must bring a current photo ID and proof of residence (such as an Idaho driver's license with your current address).
Receive your voter registration confirmation
After registering, your county clerk will mail you a voter registration card confirming your registration, party affiliation (if applicable), and precinct assignment. Review the card to verify all information is correct.
Vote
Vote in person at your assigned polling place on Election Day. Idaho also allows absentee voting by mail — request an absentee ballot from your county clerk at least 11 days before Election Day. Early in-person voting is available at the county clerk's office. You will need to show a valid photo ID when voting in person.
Keep your registration current
Once registered, you stay registered unless you move, change your name, or fail to vote in subsequent elections and do not respond to confirmation mailings. If you move within Idaho, update your registration online at VoteIdaho.gov or at your county clerk's office. You can also update your address on Election Day at your new precinct polling place.
Key Laws
| Law | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Constitution, Article VI, Section 3 | 1890 | Provides that no person convicted of a felony who has not been restored to the rights of citizenship may vote, serve as a juror, or hold civil office. Also bars those currently confined in prison on a criminal conviction from voting. This is the constitutional basis for felon disenfranchisement in Idaho. |
| Idaho Code § 18-310 — Imprisonment: Effect on Civil Rights | Codified; amended periodically | The primary statute governing restoration of civil rights. Provides that upon 'final discharge' (satisfactory completion of imprisonment, probation, and parole), a person convicted of any Idaho felony is restored the full rights of citizenship. Also provides that persons convicted of felonies in other states are allowed to register and vote in Idaho upon their final discharge. |
| Idaho Code § 34-402 — Voter Registration Qualifications | Codified; amended periodically | Establishes qualifications for voter registration, including U.S. citizenship, age (18+), and residency. Incorporates the constitutional disqualification for people with felony convictions who have not been restored to the rights of citizenship. |
| Idaho Code § 18-310(2) — Firearm Rights Exception | Codified; amended periodically | While voting rights are automatically restored upon final discharge, firearm rights are not automatically restored for certain serious felonies (treason, violent crimes, sexual offenses, drug trafficking, etc.). This is an important distinction — voting rights restoration is broader than firearms rights restoration. |
Edge Cases
Can I vote if I am still on probation for a felony in Idaho?
No. In Idaho, you cannot vote while on probation for a felony conviction. Your voting rights are restored only upon 'final discharge,' which means satisfactory completion of all terms of your sentence, including probation. Once your probation is officially completed and you are discharged, you may register to vote.
Can I vote if I was convicted of a felony in another state but now live in Idaho?
Yes, as long as you have completed all terms of your sentence in the other state, including incarceration, probation, and parole. Idaho Code § 18-310 specifically provides that persons convicted of felonies in other states or jurisdictions are allowed to register and vote in Idaho upon final discharge.
Can I register on Election Day in Idaho after completing my felony sentence?
Yes. Idaho allows Election Day registration at your polling place. If you have completed your felony sentence (final discharge), you can bring a current photo ID and proof of residence to your polling place, register, and vote on the same day. This is especially helpful if you recently completed your sentence and missed the pre-registration deadline.
Do I need to pay outstanding fines or restitution before I can vote?
Idaho's voting rights restoration is triggered by 'final discharge,' which is the satisfactory completion of imprisonment, probation, and parole. If payment of restitution is a condition of your probation and your probation has not been formally completed because of unpaid restitution, you may not yet be eligible. However, once you are formally discharged from all supervision, outstanding financial obligations should not block your voting rights.
What if I received early termination of probation — can I vote?
Yes. If a court granted early termination of your probation or parole, this constitutes a 'final discharge' under Idaho law, and your full rights of citizenship, including voting, are restored. You may register to vote immediately after the court order takes effect.
Are voting rights restored differently from firearm rights in Idaho?
Yes. Voting rights are automatically restored upon final discharge for all felony convictions. However, firearm rights are not automatically restored for certain serious felonies (including treason, violent crimes, sexual offenses, and drug trafficking). If you need firearm rights restored, you must apply to the Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole after a five-year waiting period. This distinction does not affect your voting eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I vote in Idaho if I have a felony conviction?
- Yes, once you have completed your full sentence, including incarceration, probation, and parole. Idaho automatically restores all rights of citizenship — including voting — upon final discharge. No application or petition is required. You simply need to re-register to vote.
- How do I register to vote after completing my felony sentence in Idaho?
- Register online at VoteIdaho.gov using your Idaho driver's license or state ID number and date of birth. You can also register in person at your county clerk's office, by mail, or on Election Day at your polling place with a valid photo ID and proof of residence.
- Can I vote while on parole or probation in Idaho?
- No. In Idaho, you cannot vote while on parole or probation for a felony conviction. Your voting rights are restored only after you have completed all terms of your sentence and received your final discharge.
- What is 'final discharge' in Idaho?
- Final discharge means the satisfactory completion of imprisonment, probation, and parole, whichever applies to your case. It is the point at which you have completed all terms of your felony sentence and are no longer under any form of correctional supervision. Upon final discharge, your full rights of citizenship are automatically restored under Idaho Code § 18-310.
- Do I need to pay fines before I can vote?
- Idaho law ties voting restoration to final discharge — the completion of your sentence. If your probation is conditioned on paying restitution and you have not been discharged, you may need to resolve that with the court. However, once formally discharged, remaining civil financial obligations should not block voter registration.
- Can I register to vote on Election Day in Idaho?
- Yes. Idaho offers same-day voter registration. You can register and vote at your polling place on Election Day by bringing a current photo ID (such as an Idaho driver's license) and proof of your current residence address. This is available to all eligible voters, including those who have completed felony sentences.
- What is the pre-registration deadline in Idaho?
- For online and mail registration, the deadline is 25 days before Election Day. After this deadline, you can still register in person at the county clerk's office up to Election Day, or use same-day registration at your polling place on Election Day.
- Can I vote by absentee ballot in Idaho with a felony record?
- Yes. Once registered, you can request an absentee ballot from your county clerk. The request must be made at least 11 days before Election Day. Any registered voter in Idaho may vote by absentee ballot — no excuse is required.
- Will anyone notify me when my voting rights are restored?
- Idaho does not have a formal notification system for voting rights restoration. It is your responsibility to know when your sentence is complete and to re-register to vote. Your discharge paperwork from the Idaho Department of Correction should indicate your final discharge date. Contact your county clerk or the Secretary of State's office at (208) 334-2852 if you have questions.
- Can I run for public office in Idaho with a felony conviction?
- Yes, once your rights of citizenship have been restored upon final discharge. The Idaho Constitution (Article VI, Section 3) bars people from holding civil office if they have been convicted of a felony and not restored to the rights of citizenship. Once your sentence is complete and your rights are restored, you are eligible to hold office.
Take Action — Direct Links
- VoteIdaho.gov — Voter Registration
Idaho's official voter registration portal with online registration, registration deadlines, and information about same-day Election Day registration.
- ACLU of Idaho — Voting with a Criminal Conviction (PDF)
One-page know-your-rights guide explaining voting eligibility for people with criminal convictions in Idaho, including felony and misdemeanor distinctions.
- Idaho Secretary of State — Constitution Article VI
Full text of the Idaho Constitution's suffrage article, including the felony disenfranchisement and restoration provisions.
- Campaign Legal Center — Restore Your Vote (Idaho)
Interactive tool that walks you through Idaho's specific rules to help determine if you are eligible to register to vote after a felony conviction.
- Idaho Legislature — Idaho Code § 18-310
Full text of the statute governing the effect of felony imprisonment on civil rights and the automatic restoration of citizenship rights upon final discharge.
- Vote.gov — Voting After a Felony Conviction
Federal resource with state-by-state information on voting rights after a felony conviction, including links to Idaho-specific registration tools.
- Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole
Information about the pardons process for those seeking additional rights restoration (such as firearm rights) beyond what is automatically restored at final discharge.
Sources
- Idaho Constitution, Article VI, Section 3
- Idaho Code § 18-310 — Imprisonment: Effect on Civil Rights
- VoteIdaho.gov — Voter Registration
- ACLU of Idaho — Voting with a Criminal Conviction
- US Vote Foundation — Idaho Voting Rights Restoration
- Ballotpedia — Voting in Idaho
- Idaho Legislature — Article VI, Section 3
- NCSL — Felon Voting Rights by State